Recreational floating device having underwater projectile dispensing feature

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a recreational floating device or use by a person in water such as a swimming pool. The floating device comprises a body portion adapted to float on the water. The body portion comprising a top portion, a bottom portion, and first and second side portions. The body portion further comprises a first launching portion adapted to retain and release a first self-propelled projectile. The first projectile comprises a first propulsion unit. The first projectile is engaged with the first launching portion from a first position where the first projectile is substantially retained by the first launching portion to a second position where the first projectile may be released from the first launching portion upon activation of the first propulsion unit in the water.

[0001] This Application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-partof application Ser. No. 09/799,398 filed on Mar. 5, 2001, now pending.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to recreational devices. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a recreational devicesfor use by a person in a water environment such as a swimming pool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Many recreational articles have been developed to provideamusement and fun for people who enjoy water activities. Well knownrecreational articles include surfboards, inner tubes, and kickboards.U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,912 discloses a kickboard having a manually operatedtoy gun for directing a stream of water toward a desired target.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One object of the present invention was to develop a recreationaldevice for use by a person in the water that was fun and easily operatedby a child or an adult, and safe.

[0005] The present invention is a recreational floating device or use bya person in water such as a swimming pool. The floating device isgenerally adapted to allow the person to float on the water and actuatea trigger to launch a self-propelled toy projectile thru the water. Byway of example only, the floating device may be used to allow the personto launch a projectile thru the water to hit or make contact with atarget disposed parallel to or upon the bottom surface of a swimmingpool. In one embodiment, the floating device comprises a body portionadapted to float on the water. The body portion comprising a topportion, a bottom portion, and first and second side portions. The bodyportion further comprises a first launching portion adapted to retainand release a first self-propelled projectile. The first projectilecomprises a first propulsion unit. The first projectile is engaged withthe first launching portion from a first position where the firstprojectile is substantially retained by the first launching portion to asecond position where the first projectile may be released from thefirst launching portion upon activation of the first propulsion unit inthe water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following detailed description of the invention will be morefully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 3 is cross sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0011]FIG. 5 is a cross-section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

[0012]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0013]FIGS. 7 and 8 are cross sectional views taken along line 7-7 ofFIG. 6;

[0014]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention showing the projectile member retained within the cavityportion;

[0015]FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention showing the projectile member retained within thecavity portion;

[0016]FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the fourth embodiment of the presentinvention showing the projected dispensed from the cavity portion;

[0017]FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the fourth embodiment of thepresent invention showing the projectile dispensed from the cavityportion;

[0018]FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a fifth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0019]FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.13;

[0020]FIG. 15 is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG.15;

[0022]FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.15;

[0023]FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a seventh embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0025]FIG. 20 is a side elevation view of the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0026]FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the seventh embodiment of thepresent invention; and

[0027]FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the first and second propulsionunits of the first and second projectiles, respectively, of the seventhembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, where a first embodiment of therecreational floating device 10 is shown for use by a person 12 in abody of water 14 such as a pool 13 having a bottom surface 15. Thedevice 10 is generally adapted to allow the person 12 to float on thewater 14 and to actuate a trigger or lever to dispense, launch and/ordrop a projectile thru the water 14. By way of example only, the device10 may be used to allow the person 12 to dispense a projectile thru thewater 14 to hit or make contact with a target 17 disposed upon thebottom surface 15 of the pool 13.

[0029] The device 10 generally comprises a board member 16 adapted toallow the person 12 to float on the water 14. In the embodiment shown,the board member 16 comprises an upper surface 18 and a bottom surface20, and first and side portions 22 and 24. The bottom surface 20 is incontact with the water 14. Depending upon the weight of the person 12and/or the buoyancy of the board member 16, the water line 19 may extendanywhere from half-way to just below the upper surface 18 of the boardmember 16. The board member 16 may be designed and manufactured withvariety of materials, sizes, and configuration to allow differentpersons 12 using the device 10 to float on the water 14. By way ofexample only, the board member 16 may be made from compressed foam or ahollow plastic material fabricated by injection and/or blow moldingprocesses.

[0030] The device 10 further comprises a projectile retention member 28engaged with the board member 16. The projectile retention member 28 isgenerally adapted to retain a projectile member 26 (to be described)until the person 12 actuates a projectile trigger member 44 (to bedescribed) to dispense, launch and/or otherwise drop the projectilemember 26. The projectile retention member 28 may take a variety ofdifferent forms and designs. In the embodiment shown, the projectileretention member 28 comprises a fastener such as strip and/or a layer ofvelcro 29 engaged with the board member 16 and located between the upperand bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of the board member 16. The velcrofastener 29 is adapted to be removably engaged with the projectilemember 26 by activation of the projectile trigger member 44. Theprojectile retention member 28 may further comprise a cavity portion 30having a closed end portion 32 and an open end portion 36 directed atthe water. The cavity portion 30 may be positioned and designed in avariety of different ways and may be formed as part of the moldingprocess.

[0031] The projectile member 26 is adapted to be retained by theprojectile retention member 28 until after actuation of the projectiletrigger member 44. The projectile member 26 may be designed in a varietyof different shapes and forms. In the embodiment shown, the projectilemember 26 is in the shape of a ball 27. The ball 27 comprises an outerfastening layer of velcro 31 and adapted to releaseably engage with thevelcro fastener 29 of the projectile retention member 28. The ball 27may comprise one or more weights 33 within a molded cavity 35 to controlthe buoyancy of the projectile member 26 so that it will drop smoothlythru the water 14 to the target 17 at the bottom surface 15 of the pool13. By way of further example only, the projectile member 26 may takethe form and design of the elongated projectiles disclosed and describedby U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,023 which are designed to have a projectilebuoyancy within plus or minus ten percent (10%) of the water to allowthe projectile to move in a substantially straight line parallel withthe bottom surface of the pool. In other embodiments, the projectilemember 26 may be designed with a positive buoyancy so that afterdispensing the projectile member 26 would float to the top of the water.

[0032] The projectile trigger member 44 is generally engageable with theprojectile retention member 28 and operable by the person 12 todispense, drop, and/or launch the projectile member 26 thru the water12. The projectile trigger member 44 is operable by the person 12 from afirst or closed position 56 where the projectile member 26 is retainedby the projectile retention member 28 to a second or open (released)position 58 where the projectile member 26 is dispensed from theprojectile retention member 28 thru the water 14. The projectile triggermember 44 may be designed in a variety of different shapes and forms andlocated in various areas of the board member 16. For example, theprojectile trigger member 44 may be positioned near the handles 25 ofthe board member 16 to allow easy access by the person 12 while theperson 12 is holding on to the board member 16. In the embodiment shown,the projectile trigger member 44 comprises a lever member 50 having ahandle portion 52 and an engagement portion 54. The lever member 50 isoperable by the person from the first position 56 where the projectilemember 26 is retained by the projectile retention member 28 to thesecond or open (released) position 58 where the projectile member 26 isdispensed from the projectile retention member 26 thru the water 12 andthe engagement portion 54 extends thru an opening or thru-hole 55extending from the upper surface 18 of the board member 16 to the closedend portion 32 of the cavity portion 30. In the embodiment shown, thehandle portion 52 is disposed above the upper surface 18 of the boardmember 16. In other embodiments, the handle portion 52 may be disposedbetween the upper and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of the board member 16or as in the embodiment of FIGS. 9-12 (to be described), disposed alongthe side surfaces 22 and 24 of the board member 16. The lever member 14may be made from a variety of different materials and formed by avariety of different processes. In the embodiment shown, the levermember 44 may be made from plastic by conventional molding processes.

[0033] The device 10 may further comprise a projectile viewing member 60adapted to allow the person 12 to view dispensing of the projectilemember 26 thru the water 12. In the embodiment shown, the projectileviewing member 60 generally comprises an opening 62 extending from theupper surface 18 to the bottom surface 20 of the board member 16.

[0034] The projectile viewing member 60 may further comprise atransparent viewing member 64 disposed within the opening 62. Thetransparent viewing member 64 may comprise a first portion 66 and asecond portion 68. The transparent viewing member 64 may be designed ina variety of ways and made from variety of materials. By way of exampleonly, the transparent viewing member 64 may be made from thin plasticthat simply allows the person 12 to see thru the viewing member 64. Inother embodiments, the first portion 66 and/or the second portion 68 ofthe transparent viewing member 64 may be angled to provide downwardand/or forward viewing areas. In other embodiments, the transparentviewing member 64 and/or first portion 66 and/or the second portion 68may comprise a lense to enhance the viewing areas. The transparentviewing member 64 may further comprise a sight member or film (notshown) to be used for alignment by the person 12.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, where in another embodiment of thedevice 10, the projectile retention member 28 comprises the cavityportion 30 and a closure member 39. The closure member 39 may comprisefirst and second flaps or doors 41 and 43 that rotate outward as a forceis applied to the projectile member 26 by actuation of the projectiletrigger member 44. The flaps 41 and 43 may be connected by conventionalmeans such as hinges formed as part of and/or connected to the boardmember 18 and/or flaps 41 and 43. In the embodiment shown, theprojectile member 26 is retained within the projectile retention member28 until actuation of the projectile trigger member 44.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, where another embodiment of thedevice 10. In this embodiment, the cavity portion 30 is disposed belowthe bottom surface 20 of the board member 16 and the open end portion 36is directed forward of the board member 16. In this embodiment, theprojectile retention member 28 may further comprise a spring member 38having a first portion 40 engaged with the closed end portion 32 and asecond portion 42 engageable with the projectile member 26. The levermember 50 is moveable from the first or closed position 56 where theengagement portion 54 extends into the median portion 34 of the cavityportion 30 to retain the projectile member 26 which is being forwardbiased by the spring member 38 against the engagement portion 54 to asecond position 58 wherein the engagement portion 54 is withdrawn fromthe cavity portion 30 and the projectile retention member 28 isdispensed outward by the force of the spring member 38.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 9-12, where another embodiment of the device10. In this embodiment, the cavity portion 30 is disposed between theupper and bottom surfaces 18 and 20 of the board member 16 or internalof the board member 16. Similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 6, 7, and 8,the lever member 50 is moveable from a first or closed position 56 wherethe engagement portion 54 extends into the median portion 34 of thecavity portion 30 to retain the projectile member 26 which is beingforward biased by the spring member 38 against the engagement portion 54to a second position 58 wherein the engagement portion 54 is withdrawnfrom the cavity portion 30 and the projectile retention member 28 isdispensed outward by the force of the spring member 38. In thisembodiment, one of the cavity portions 30 is off-set from the centerlineof the board member 16 and the open end portion 36 of the cavity portion30 would direct dispensing of the projectile member 26 to the side andforward of the board member 16. The lever member 50 may be disposed witha channel or cavity portion 59.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, where in another embodiment of thepresent invention, the projectile trigger member 44 may utilize acompressed air tank system 61.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the compressed air system 61 generallycomprises compressed air tank 63, an off/on button 65, an air line 69connected to an air channel or line 67.

[0040] Actuation of the button 65 causes compressed air to flow throughthe air channel 67 and to force the projectile member 26 out of thecavity portion 30 thru the flaps 41 and 43. The air line or channel 67may comprise one or more conventional pliable air lines passing thru oneor more channels formed as part of the board member 16.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 15, 16, and 17, where in another embodiment ofthe present invention, the projectile trigger member 44 comprises alever member 80 having a hand grip 82, an engagement portion 84, abearing portion 86, and an end portion 87. The bearing portion 86 ridesor is moveable within a cavity or channel portion 90 disposed within andexposed from the side portions 22 and 24 of the board member 16. Thechannel portion has a first end 92 and a second end portion 94. Theprojectile trigger member 44 further comprises an elastic band 96connected to the end portion 87 of the lever member 80 and to the firstend of the channel 90. The lever member 80 is moveable within thechannel 90 from a first position 98 where the elastic member isstretched or biased to a second position 100 where the lever member 80is released by the person 12 and the force from the elastic member 96causes the engagement portion 84 to dispense the projectile member 26from the cavity portion 30 thru the open end portion 36.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 18-21, wherein a floating device or kick board110 is shown generally comprising a body portion 112 adapted to float onthe water. The body portion 112 comprises a top portion 114, a bottomportion 116, and first and second side portions 118 and 120. The bodyportion 112 further comprises a first launching portion 122 and a secondlaunching portion 132 generally adapted to receive and release the firstand second self-propelled projectiles 146 and 158 (to be described). Thefirst launching portion 122 comprises a concave shaped cavity portion124 and a spiral shaped cover portion 126. The cover portion 126 isconnected by a hinge member 128 to the cavity portion 124. The coverportion 126 may be opened by person to insert or load the firstprojectile 146 into the first launching portion 122 and closed by theperson to retain the first projectile 146 within the first launchingportion 122. Similarly, the second launching portion 132 comprises aconcave shaped cavity portion 134 and a spiral shaped cover portion 136.The cover portion 136 is connected by a hinge member 138 to the cavityportion 134. The cover portion 136 may be opened by person to insert orload the second projectile 158 into the second launching portion 132 andclosed by the person to retain the second projectile 158 within thesecond launching portion 132. The first and second launching portions122 and 132 are positioned at the first and second side portions 118 and120 of the body portion 112, respectively. The first and secondlaunching portions 122 and 132 further comprise stop members 130 and140, respectively, removably positioned within the cavity portions 124and 134, respectively. The stop member 130 may be moved inward andoutward of the cavity portion 124 to restrain and release the firstprojectile 146 from the first launching portion 122. Similarly, the stopmember 140 may be moved inward and outward of the cavity portion 134 torestrain and release the second projectile 158 from the second launchingportion 132. Movement of the stop members 130 and 140 may be caused byactivation or depression of a first firing button 142 and a secondfiring button 144, respectively. In a first or loaded position, the stopmembers 130 and 140 prevent the first and second projectiles 146 and158, respectively, from moving outward from the first and secondlaunching portion 122 and 132, respectively. Activation or depression ofthe first firing button 142 causes the first projectile 146 to be in asecond or fired position wherein the stop member 130 does not extendinward of the cavity portion 124 and does not prevent the firstprojectile 146 from moving outward from the first launching portion 122.Similarly, activation of the second firing button 144 causes the secondprojectile 158 to be in a second or fired position wherein the stopmember 140 does not extend inward of the cavity portion 134 and does notprevent the second projectile 158 from moving outward from the secondlaunching portion 132. The first and second firing buttons 142 and 144are positioned on the top portion 114 of the body portion 112 andreadily accessible to activation by the free hand of the person.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 22, the first projectile 146 comprises a firstpropulsion unit 148. The first projectile 146 is engaged with the firstlaunching portion 122 from a first position or state where the firstprojectile 146 is substantially retained by or within the firstlaunching portion 122 to a second position or state where the firstprojectile 146 may be released from the first launching portion 122 (byactivation of the first firing button 142) upon activation of the firstpropulsion unit 148 in the water. The second projectile 158 comprises asecond propulsion unit 160. The second projectile 158 is engaged withthe second launching portion 132 from a first position or state wherethe second projectile 158 is substantially retained by the secondlaunching portion 132 to a second position or state where the secondprojectile 158 may be released from the second launching portion 132 (byactivation of the second firing button 144) upon activation of thesecond propulsion unit 160 in the water. The first and secondprojectiles 146 and 158 are self-propelled and similar in design to theself-propelled projectile shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,093,076which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into thisspecification.

[0044] The first propulsion unit 148 comprises a first battery 150, afirst motor 152 connected to the first battery 150, a first propeller154 engaged by a first shaft 155 to the first motor 152, and a firstswitch 156 operable from a first position where the first propulsionunit 148 is off or inactive to a second position where the firstpropulsion unit 148 is on or activated. Similarly, the second propulsionunit 160 comprises a second battery 162, a second motor 164 connected tothe second battery 162, a second propeller 166 engaged by a second shaft167 to the second motor 164, and a second switch 168 operable from afirst position where the second propulsion unit 160 is off or inactiveto a second position where the second propulsion unit 160 is on oractivated.

[0045] In operation, the person may lie on the top portion 114 of thebody portion 112 and load the first and second projectiles 146 and 158into the first and second launching portions 122 and 132 by opening thecover portions 126 and 136 and inserting the first and secondprojectiles 146 and 158 therein. The cover portions 126 and 136 may beclosed wherein the stop members 130 and 140 extend inward of the cavityportions 124 and 134, respectively, to retain the first and secondprojectiles 146 and 158 within the first and second launching portions122 and 132, respectively. The person may turn on or activate one orboth of the first and second propulsion units 148 and 160 of the firstand second projectiles 146 and 158, respectively, by manual activationor depression of the first and second switches 156 and 168,respectively. The person may launch one or both of the first and secondprojectiles 146 and 158 by manual activation or depression of the firstand second firing buttons 142 and 144, respectively, which allows thefirst and second projectiles 146 and 158 to move or launch outward fromthe first and second launching portions 122 and 132.

[0046] The floating device 110 may designed in a variety of differentways. By way of example only, activation or depression of the first andsecond firing buttons 142 and 144 may also cause activation of the firstand second propulsion units 148 and 160, respectively, therebyeliminating the need for manual activation or depression of the firstand second switches 156 and 168. Further, the first propulsion unit 148may further comprises a third propeller (not shown) and the secondpropulsion unit 160 may further comprise a fourth propeller (not shown).The third propeller (not shown) of the first propulsion unit 148 isconnected to the first motor 152 of the first propulsion unit 148. Thefourth propeller (not shown) of the second propulsion unit 160 isconnected to the second motor 164 of the second propulsion unit 160. Theuse of two (2) propellers on each shaft may tend to achieve enhanceddirectional control and/or power. Alternatively, the first propulsionunit 148 may further comprise a third shaft (not shown) and a thirdmotor (not shown) and the second propulsion unit 160 may comprise afourth shaft (not shown) and a fourth motor (not shown). The firstpropeller 154 and the third propeller (not shown) of the firstpropulsion unit 148 are connected and driven by the first motor 152 andthe third motor (not shown), respectively. Similarly, the secondpropeller 166 and the fourth propeller (not shown) of the secondpropulsion unit 160 are connected and driven by the second motor 164 andthe fourth motor (not shown), respectively. A single or multiple batterysources may be used.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the first and second propulsion units148 and 160 use a propeller to cause movement of the projectile.Alternatively, the first and second propulsion units 148 and 160 mayeach comprise a compressed air system (not shown) to dispense the firstand second projectiles 146 and 158, respectively. The first and secondpropulsion units 148 and 160 may each comprise a pressurized watersystem to dispense the first and second projectiles 146 and 158,respectively. The first and second propulsion units 148 and 160 maycomprise one or more springs or elastic bands engaged with the first andsecond launching portions 122 and 132, respectively, adapted to dispensethe first and second projectiles 48 and 62, respectively.

[0048] The foregoing description is intended primarily for purposes ofillustration. This invention may be embodied in other forms or carriedout in other ways without departing from the spirit or scope of theinvention. Modifications and variations still falling within the spiritor the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of skillin the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recreational floating device for use by aperson in water comprising: (a) a board member adapted to float on thewater, said board member having an upper surface and a bottom surface,said bottom surface being in contact with the water; (b) a projectileretention member engaged with said bottom surface of said board member;(c) a projectile member retained by said projectile retention member;and (d) a projectile trigger member engageable with said projectileretention member and operable by the person from a first position wheresaid projectile member is retained by said projectile retention memberto a second position where said projectile member is dispensed from saidprojectile retention member to the water.
 2. The device of claim 1,wherein said projectile retention member comprises a cavity portionadapted to retain said projectile member.
 3. The device of claim 2,wherein said projectile trigger member comprises a lever member operableby the person from a first position where said projectile is retained bysaid projectile retention member to a second position where saidprojected is dispensed from said projectile retention member to thewater.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said lever member is disposedabove the upper surface of said board member.
 5. The device of claim 5,wherein said board member is elongated.
 6. The device of claim 5,wherein said board member is molded from plastic.
 7. The device of claim6, wherein said projectile member is in the form of a rounded ball. 8.The device of claim 7, wherein said projectile member has a buoyancyless than the water.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising aprojectile viewing member adapted to allow the person to view dispensingof said projectile through the water.
 10. The device of claim 9, whereinsaid projectile viewing member comprises an opening extending from saidupper surface to said bottom surface of said board member.
 11. Thedevice of claim 10, wherein said projectile viewing member furthercomprises a transparent viewing member disposed within said opening. 12.A kick board for use by a person in water comprising: (a) a body portionadapted to float on the water; said body portion comprising a topportion, a bottom portion, and first and second side portions; said bodyportion further comprises a first launching portion; and (b) a firstprojectile comprising a first propulsion unit; said first projectilebeing engaged with said first launching portion from a first positionwhere said first projectile is substantially retained by said firstlaunching portion to a second position where said first projectile maybe released from said first launching portion upon activation of saidfirst propulsion unit in the water.
 13. The device of claim 12, whereinsaid body portion further comprises a second launching portion.
 14. Thedevice of claim 13, further comprising a second projectile comprising asecond propulsion unit; said second projectile being engaged with saidsecond launching portion from a first position where said secondprojectile is substantially retained by said second launching portion toa second position where said second projectile may be released from saidsecond launching portion upon activation of said second propulsion unitin the water.
 15. The device of claim 14, wherein each of said first andsecond projectiles are self-propelled.
 16. The device of claim 15,wherein said first propulsion unit comprises a first battery, a firstmotor connected to said first battery, a first propeller engaged withsaid first motor, and a first switch operable from a first positionwhere said first propulsion unit is inactive to a second position wheresaid first propulsion unit is activated.
 17. The device of claim 16,wherein said second propulsion unit comprises a second battery, a secondmotor connected to said second battery, a second propeller engaged withsaid second motor, and a second switch operable from a first positionwhere said second propulsion unit is inactive to a second position wheresaid second propulsion unit is activated.
 18. The device of claim 17,wherein said body portion further comprises a first firing button;activation of said first firing button causes said first projectile tobe in said second position of said first launching portion.
 19. Thedevice of claim 18, wherein said body portion further comprises a secondfiring button; activation of said second firing button causes saidsecond projectile to be in said second position of said second launchingportion.
 20. The device of claim 19, wherein said activation of saidfirst and second firing buttons causes activation of said first andsecond propulsion units, respectively.
 21. The device of claim 20,wherein said first and second firing buttons are positioned on said topportion of said body portion.
 22. The device of claim 21, wherein saidfirst and second launching portions each comprise a cover that may beopened by person to insert said first and second projectiles into saidfirst and second launching portions, respectively.
 23. The device ofclaim 22 wherein said first and second launching portions are positionedbelow said bottom portion and adjacent said first and second sideportions of said body portion, respectively.
 24. The device of claim 23,wherein said first propulsion unit further comprises a third propellerand said second propulsion unit comprises a fourth propeller.
 25. Thedevice of claim 24, wherein said third propeller of said firstpropulsion unit is connected to said first motor of said firstpropulsion unit and said fourth propeller of said second propulsion unitis connected to said second motor of said second propulsion unit. 26.The device of claim 18, wherein said first and second propulsion unitseach comprise compressed air to dispense said first and secondprojectiles, respectively.
 27. The device of claim 18, wherein saidfirst and second propulsion units each comprise pressurized water todispense said first and second projectiles, respectively.
 28. The deviceof claim 18, wherein said first and second propulsion units eachcomprise a spring engaged with first and second launching portions todispense said first and second projectiles, respectively.